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New York State Police Superintendent under investigation

Oct 06, 2022 12:30 am

Brendan J. Lyons is reporting for the Times Union State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen, who was appointed by former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo 15 months ago, is under scrutiny from Gov. Kathy Hochul's office over allegations that he shielded a former human resources official from internal complaints because of their close working relationship, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Hochul, on October 4, confirmed that she had directed her counsel's office to look into numerous allegations that have been swirling around Bruen for several weeks, including in posts made on private social media websites that are reserved for current and former State Police members. A State Police spokesman said Bruen, 59, remains on the job and has been working from his office at division headquarters in Albany. "This is an individual I inherited," Hochul said. "I will gather all the facts and I will make a determination. ... I think everybody's owed the investigation, which is ongoing at this time." MaryEllen Tedesco, the former human resources director in question, resigned from the agency last month. Her resignation followed an investigation into her handling of a job application by a person who uses a wheelchair. According to a person with knowledge of the allegations, several high-ranking members of the State Police brought complaints to Bruen about Tedesco, but the superintendent took no action and allegedly asked that the matter not be documented. The governor's investigation of Bruen follows a series of internal shakeups at the State Police, including the recent departure of two other members of the agency's human resources office. Bruen is a Glens Falls resident and former Warren County assistant district attorney who previously was a general counsel for the State Police. He is not a sworn member of the agency, although he commands more than 5,000 troopers, investigators, and civilian support staff. Read the full story in the Times Union.